by Ingredion IncorporatedPosted: Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 3:36PM EDT

WESTCHESTER, Ill. – Food scientists at Ingredion Incorporated’s global Idea Labs™ network of innovation centers today announced the launch of HOMECRAFT® Create multi-functional tapioca flours. The new range of ingredients emerges as a milestone in more than two decades of research dedicated to understanding the role tapioca can play in clean-label applications.

HOMECRAFT Create multi-functional tapioca flours couple a clean ‘tapioca flour’ label with the functionality of a modified starch. The full range of flours is adapted to suit a variety of production processes, offering tolerance and stability advantages while at the same time helping manufacturers achieve indulgent dairy products and smooth sauces, puddings and custards.

The flours, which will be introduced in phases globally, provide exceptional flavor release and enhanced, creamy textures that allow food manufacturers to reduce fat content and improve nutrition profiles. At the same time, the range of ingredients delivers higher viscosity than clean label starches in some applications, offering opportunities for cost savings.

HOMECRAFT Create multi-functional tapioca flours support non-GMO and gluten-free claims, aligning with consumer-driven trends reshaping labels around the globe. The number of new products formulated globally with tapioca flours has seen a 38 percent compound annual growth rate since 2012, according to research firm Mintel.

“Flours are highly recognized and also have a superior degree of acceptance, given their association with minimal processing, which consumers perceive to be healthy,” says Dan Haley, director of the global Wholesome Springboard at Ingredion. “The challenge for food manufacturers has been to formulate with flour without compromising flavor, texture, appearance and a gluten-free positioning. HOMECRAFT Create tapioca flours help manufacturers overcome this challenge in a wide array of applications.”

Manufacturers frequently inquire about functional ingredients that meet consumer’s clean-label expectations, says Angelina De Castro, senior marketing manager, North America. “In the U.S. and Canada, consumer research shows that tapioca flour consistently ranks very high in ‘natural’ perception and acceptability. With our new HOMECRAFT Create multi-functional tapioca flours, food developers now have the ability to use a widely accepted texturizer that offers breakthrough functionality and helps to create a superior eating experience.”

ABOUT HOMECRAFT® Create multi-functional tapioca flours

HOMECRAFT Create multi-functional tapioca flours are Non-GMO Project Verified and represent the expansion of the clean-and-simple HOMECRAFT Create line of flours. The product family encompasses multi-functional rice and tapioca flours that, when compared to other clean label starches and flours, delivers enhanced texture stability over shelf life and freeze/thaw performance. Applications testing has shown that the gluten-free HOMECRAFT Create range of tapioca flours enhances formulations of yogurts; soups and sauces; dairy and alternative-dairy drinks and desserts; fruit preparations; dressings; and baby foods.

To learn more about HOMECRAFT Create multi-functional tapioca flours and other solutions developed at Ingredion’s Idea Labs™ innovation centers, call 1-800-713-0208 or visit us online at http://www.ingredion.us/tapiocaflour.